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Sling Tote Tutorial

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This sling tote bag was fun to make because I was making it for a gift and it isn’t really my own style, so it was something different than what I normally sew. And the person I made it for loved it which is always great.

It’s a sling tote bag:

Sling tote free pattern and tutorial
How to make a sling tote bag

 

Sling Tote tutorial

I didn’t have a pattern, just pictures of similar bags and I figured I could pull it off, but I was a little nervous. It worked out great though and was really pretty easy.

Here’s What You Need:
1 yard main fabric
1 yard accent/inner fabric
1/4 yard lining (optional)

Here’s How to Make It:

Start out by laying out your fabric and cutting basically a half circle with these dimensions: 23″ across the top, 14.5″ from the top to the bottom of the circle. Cut 2 of these.

how to make a handbag

Now, to make the pleats in the bag you will start at the center of the bag and make one pleat that is about 2 inches. Pull the fabric under and pin it on either side:

pleated tote bag

Then, working out from there do two more pleats on each side each about another 2 inches apart or so. Make sure that the pleats match up on both sides so that your bag is even:

Sling tutorial

Here’s what it should look like from the bottom:

And here is what each individual pleat looks like up close:

Mine measured 13″ across the top once I had all the pleats in.

Once you have them all pinned in place, run a stitch along the top to secure your pleats. Then remove your pins:

Do that to both sides of the bag making sure that your two sides of the bag come out even.

Then, match up both sides of the bag with right sides together and sew around the outside leaving only the top open:

Now, using your accent fabric, cut a strip that is 4″ wide and at least 30″ long.

Pin it around the inside lip of your bag with right sides touching.

Pin all the way around until the fabric goes all the way around the top of the bag. When you have a full circle, trim off your excess and sew it together:

Then sew around the top opening. It should look like this when you are done:

Now, lay your outer bag on your inner fabric. You are going to use this as your pattern for your inside.

Cut around the bag to form your inner bag. Cut 2 pieces.

It should look like this:

I wanted a pocket on the inside of the bag, so I made that next.

Cut out a piece of your outer fabric that is 9.5″ by 7.5.” Then fold it in half, right sides together and stitch around it leaving a small opening to turn it.

Turn it and press it flat.

Place it where you want it on the inner fabric and sew it in place:

Now, with right sides together, sew around the outside of your inner fabric.

Now, turn the outside of your bag right side out and place your inner part down inside of it.

Now to make the strap. Cut 2 pieces of your accent 3″ by 33.” (My photo shows a 4″ wide strap but I felt like it was too wide.)

For the strap I wanted to line it so it would hold up better. You can use lining. I used felt. Either one works. The felt makes it a little bulky but also helps it stay sturdy.

With right sides of the fabric in and the lining on the outside (on just one side of the strap) sew down the long side of the strap. Do this on both sides:

Turn it right side out. Top stitch on each long side of the strap:

We’re almost done! Stick your strap down in between your inner bag and out bag pieces on the far edges of your bag. Stick it way down in there so it will be nice and secure. Pin it in place.

Next, fold down the inner and outer fabric on the top of the bag (towards each other) to create your top hem and press them. Stitch all the way around the bag. I did it twice-once with about a 1/2″ hem and once right at the very edge of the bag:

Last I top stitched where the outer bag fabric meets the accent fabric:

And that’s it! Now you’ve got a great bag to carry all sorts of treasures. If your bag is at all like mine, it will be a dungeon that will hide all the things you are looking for.

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Comments

  7. Ann Marie says

    July 21, 2012 at 5:57 am

    Just had to pop in here as I was the LUCKY recipient if this lovely bag! Amber and I were in a gift exchange and she had asked me just a few questions about my likes/dislikes etc.

    Let me tell you she nailed this on the head! It couldn’t be any more ME unless I had made it myself! Everyone asks if I made it when they compliment me on how beautidul it is! I always give Amber the credit! It is awesome to see it in tne tutorial and tne pics of it of it give me a different perspective of how others see the bag! I LOVE IT!!!!! Thanks again Amber!

    Reply

  15. Christine says

    July 26, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    I LOVE YOU!!!! Really!! I do!!! This is an AWESOME step by step… that I can follow!! You’re sooooooo awesome!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality!

    Reply

  17. midwestdomesticbliss says

    July 30, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    i love your bag! thank you for sharing, just what i have been looking for in a purse, i plan to sew this it soon!!

    Reply

  20. AnnieG says

    January 15, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    I made this bag and I think (for my first sewing project since I was about 8, now 33) it turned out very decently. There were several mistakes along the way but I cleaned them up. Great tutorial! I am going to use mine for my daughters diaper bag for daycare.

    Reply

  21. Patti says

    January 31, 2013 at 2:16 am

    Hi again,
    It took some time, but I got the 2
    different patterns and colors from
    2 different sites.
    My question is…. That half circle
    looks moore oblong.
    I was going to use a protractor
    and try and make a complete circle.
    Do you have a better idea? I see
    this being the only obstacle.
    Thanks
    Patti

    Reply

  22. Patti says

    February 10, 2013 at 11:43 am

    Hello
    I am almost finished, but ran into
    a problem. When I pinned the
    lining to the outside bag it came
    up to be about 3-4 inches too short, only
    on the top. Trying to fix it only made it
    bunch. If I make another 2 lining
    pieces they might end up being too big.
    Hoping that you have some suggestions.
    Thanks
    Patti

    I am a bit frustrated. I guess I have
    to make another 2 pieces for the
    lining. It m

    Reply

  23. Amber S says

    February 19, 2013 at 12:31 pm

    I have fallen behind on other projects due to making 2 of these bags. One I use as a diaper bag and the other was gift for my niece. I love my bag. Great tutorial. Easy to follow along.

    Reply

  24. Kelly says

    March 13, 2013 at 8:56 am

    I am wondering how big the bag turns out to be? I could probably figure that out based on the tutorial, but I’m a little sleep deprived so please help, lol!

    Reply

  25. Jodi M says

    May 17, 2013 at 12:07 am

    Wow! These are AMAZING tutorials. You make it look so simple, I cannot wait to raid my fabric stash and get started! I’ve got some beautiful home decor weight fabric I bought on clearance at Jo-Ann for a couple of bucks a yard that I’ve been sitting on for a year, waiting for just the right bag tutorial. I’ve found it! If I can get my work table cleaned off enough so that the photos wouldnt embarrass me, I may do a sew-along with a link back and post to my blog, Wabi Slobby, if that’s OK with you.

    Reply

  27. Georgia says

    June 25, 2013 at 11:11 am

    The best tutorial I’ve found, thus far, for this type of bag (and I’ve been looking for a while because I’m being picky haha)
    I can’t wait to start this project!! Thanks so much for the tons of pictures and clear explanations, I doubt I would be able to make it otherwise. (I’m on holiday, so now I’ll have plenty of time)

    Reply

  28. Guylaine says

    January 11, 2014 at 11:21 am

    Exactly what I was looking for! I do also prefer these kind of bags instead of traditional purses. I’ll sew one (or more) for sure! Thank you for sharing… from Montréal, Canada

    Reply

  29. Kayleigh says

    March 16, 2014 at 12:44 am

    I gave it a try a a newbie to sewing and I must say I am pretty happy with the results. If it wasn’t for your step by step I might not have tried it. I had a few problems with finishing the top and mine came up with the inside being a bit smaller but I added a few pleats near the handles and it came out OK.
    Thanks so much amber!
    Kayleigh

    Reply

  30. Aimee says

    November 9, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    Thank you so much! Just made this for my daughter. Great tutorial. I’m certainly not an expert seamstress, and it worked out well. I also had the issue with the lining being a bit too small for the opening, so I added a pleat and it turned out fine. A super-cute, quick project. Thanks again!

    Reply

  31. Andrea says

    December 2, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Thanks for this great tutorial!! This is only my second sewing project ever and it came out with only a couple of hitches! Learned from my mistakes and I’m sure the next o e I make will be even better! I’ll be making several for Christmas gifts so sooner or later I should have it down pat!!

    Reply

  37. Di says

    September 25, 2017 at 11:46 am

    Rather than pleats, try gathering the fabric. To make it reversible, construct the inside identical to the outside. For a closure, add an inner magnetic snap or add a buttonhole and button.

    Reply

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